Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team

Minutes - Annual Meeting - January 27, 2011

 

Location:  Robbinsville Elementary Auditorium

Welcome/Introductions

A.     Rick welcomed everyone to the meeting, expressed thanks to Nan and Pop’s Kitchen for catering and introduced the Board of Directors, called the meeting to order and introduced Claudie Burchfield to facilitate the meeting.

General Items

A.  Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting:  Motion was made for approval by Lynn Shields, seconded by Rhonda Anderson.

B.   Approval of the Agenda:  The agenda was approved on a motion by Rhonda Anderson and a second by Lynn Shields.

Business Items

A.  Financial Report – Lynn Shields presented the financial report (attached).

B.  GREAT Board of Directors for 2011 – Rick presented the list of the current Board of Directors and proposed new members for the Board of Directors. The Board was approved with a motion by Beverly Whitehead, seconded by Mike Harwood.

Public Discussion/Input –

A.     Overview of GREAT Strategic Plan, Committee Structure, and 2010 Priorities –Rick directed the group to the packet provided (attached) and gave an overview of the above information.

B.     Review of Committee Priorities and Accomplishments - Each committee presented a report of goals, accomplishments to date, and then asked for ideas from meeting attendees. After each committee report, the group was given time to write suggestions for that committee on note cards. These note cards were collected by the 4-H Youth Leadership Group and transcribed to large flip-chart paper per committee.

Ø      Economic Development, Business and Industry – Claudie Burchfield

Claudie highlighted this committee’s new partnership with Handmade in America’s Appalachian Women Entrepreneurs (AWE). AWE was welcomed this year as a subcommittee of the Economic Development, Business and Industry Committee.  She also spoke to the tourism survey developed by the committee, the establishment of the Graham County Economic Development Commission, and emphasized the importance of travel and tourism for economic development.

Ø      Education and Workforce Development –Rhonda Anderson

Rhonda highlighted the accomplishments of this committed listed below.

·        21st Century Learning Center Grant for $150,000

·        Alcoa Foundation Project ESTEME for $28,050 to engage girls in grades 6-9 in math and science careers

·        American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds through the NC Energy Office to improve lighting , install occupancy sensors in bathrooms and hallways, and upgrade heating and air conditioning controls -$199,380

·        Kate B Reynolds Charitable Trust – three year grant to support substance abuse and mental health services for low-income students - $199,798

Jim Mize spoke about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. There are currently 310 children enrolled, and 59 have graduated. The program received $7,943 in donation this year and will be working to get more younger children enrolled in the next year.

Rick Parham spoke about the nearing completion of the house being built by the construction technology class.

Ø      Tourism and Mountain Culture – Lynn Shields

·        Lynn referred the group to the highlighted accomplishments in the handouts and added that Blue Ridge National Heritage Arts has awarded Stecoah Valley Center $22,000 for expansion of all classes in textiles, other arts, and food and $4,000 for development of marketing materials/ brochures for the Graham County Quilt Trail.

·        Stecoah Valley Center also received $25,000 from the NC Rural Center and $15,000 from the NC Arts Council to develop architectural plans for the renovation of the former Stecoah School Gym. They gym could then be used for recreation, tourism events, outdoor industry trade shows, banquets, conventions, etc.

·        The committee submitted 7 proposals to Golden Leaf Foundation for funding. Results will be announced in Feb-March.

·        The committee has been working on developing a strategic plan for travel and tourism and has identified needs for eco-tourism planning, motorized tourism planning, and off-season tourism planning.

Ø      Revitalization and Infrastructure – Rick Davis

·        Rick highlighted the NC Rural Center’s NCSTEP program that the Town of Robbinsville was chosen to participate in. Brenda Artiss told the group the activities that will be going onto identify projects, spoke about the importance of the charrette that will being created, and announced that the group had received 3 grants for the project and has applied for Golden Leaf funding.

·        Rick also spoke about the importance of high-speed internet access for the county. The county is currently at 70% for access to high-speed internet. A $500,000 proposal has been submitted to Golden Leaf Foundation to increase this number.

Ø      Recreation, Natural Resources and Water Quality – Rick Davis (for Michael Wiggins)

·        Rick discussed the Recreation Master Plan being developed and the Partners of Joyce Kilmer had been added as a subcommittee of the Recreation Committee.

·        Lauren Stull with the USFS spoke about an upcoming event planned by the USFS. The Partners of Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the dedication of Joyce Kilmer.  The event will be at Rattler Ford Campground on Saturday, July 30th. The USFS will be hosting a 5K/10K race, several wilderness exhibits, a re-dedication ceremony, and an open house for former USFS employees.

Ø      Leadership and Government – Mike Harwood

Mike reported that the Leadership and Government committee had re-worked its goals this past year. Those goals are to:

·        Support comprehensive planning processes

·        Increase regional collaboration

·        Establish a leadership development program

·        Encourage local leaders/government to attend trainings

·        Support KORT youth leadership

Ø      Health and Social – Kristen Shuler (for Alicia Parham)

Kristen presented the 2010 State of the County Health (SOTCH) Report to the group, discussing the Community Health Assessment (CHA) and SOTCH processes, local data, and the priorities of the health and social committee. The priorites are:

·        Family Fitness - the playground installation is complete and the group is working with Graham County Recreation on a Recreation Master Plan. A grand opening for the playground will be held in conjundtion with the annual Ramp Festival on May 1st from 1-4pm. This will also be the kick-off to a Spring fitness challenge that will draw attention to local recreation resources, walking routes and hiking/biking trails. There will be a one day event, followed by a longer physical activity challenge involving geocaching. Kristen explained geocaching to the group in response to a question about what it was.

·        Access to Health – The Board of Directors for the Graham County Free Clinic has been established and an office manager and provider have been hired. Pediatric Sick Care has been introduced in Graham County this year by way of a partnership between Graham County Public Health and Sylva Pediatrics.

Mental Health services have expanded through the School Based Health Center into elementary school this year and the School Based Health Center was maintained.

C.     Identification of 2011 Priorities – 4-H youth leadership members place one large flip chart piece of paper on the walls for each committee, displaying the suggestions for priorities for the 2011 year. Attendees were instructed to vote for their top 5 priorities for the coming year. Votes will be tallied and results announced at the next meeting.

D.     Sandy Zimmerman, Representative, Congressman Heath Shuler’s Office – Sandy Zimmerman gave updates on small business initiatives supported by Mr. Shuler’s office.

Announcements

Ø      GREAT Board of Directors Meeting – February 14, 2011

Ø      GREAT Meeting March 17, 2011 at Fontana Village

Adjourn